Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
A type of diabetes where the body fails to produce insulin due to the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.
What is Type 1 diabetes?
A life-threatening complication of Type 1 diabetes characterized by hyperglycemia, dehydration, and ketones in the urine.
What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
The concentration of blood glucose that defines hypoglycemia in most diabetic patients.
What is a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL?
The most important nutrient for promoting wound healing in malnourished patients.
What is protein?
The type of nutritional support delivered directly into the gastrointestinal tract via a tube.
What is enteral nutrition?
The chronic complication of diabetes involving damage to the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure.
What is diabetic nephropathy?
The type of breathing associated with DKA, described as deep, rapid, and labored.
What is Kussmaul respiration?
This fast-acting insulin is typically administered before meals to cover the carbohydrate intake.
What is lispro (Humalog) or aspart (Novolog)?
The nurse's role in helping a diabetic patient follow a diet plan.
What is reinforcing teaching and monitoring adherence?
The most reliable method for confirming initial placement of a nasogastric feeding tube.
What is an X-ray?
The classic triad of symptoms for new-onset Type 1 diabetes.
What are polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia?
The primary electrolyte concern that a nurse must monitor and replace during DKA treatment.
What is potassium?
The 15-15 rule for hypoglycemia states that the nurse should give a patient 15 grams of simple carbohydrates, then recheck the blood sugar in this amount of time.
What is 15 minutes?
This diet is commonly prescribed for patients with pancreatic disease to reduce pancreatic stimulation.
What is a low-fat diet?
A complication of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) where the patient's blood glucose levels spike.
What is hyperglycemia?
The lab test that measures average blood glucose levels over the past 3 months.
What is a hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c)?
An emergency most common in Type 2 diabetes, presenting with severe hyperglycemia and extreme dehydration but no ketones.
What is hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)?
A side effect of intensive insulin therapy that a patient on an insulin pump should be taught to manage.
What is severe hypoglycemia?
The term for wasting syndrome seen in cancer patients, characterized by severe weight loss and muscle atrophy.
What is cachexia?
This syndrome, a risk for patients who are severely malnourished and started on aggressive nutrition support, can cause fluid shifts and electrolyte imbalances.
What is refeeding syndrome?
The underlying pathology in Type 2 diabetes, where the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin.
What is insulin resistance?
The first priority in managing both DKA and HHS.
What is fluid replacement with normal saline?
The long-acting insulin that provides a steady, basal insulin level and has no peak.
What is glargine (Lantus) or detemir (Levemir)?
The micronutrients most essential for wound healing, including Vitamin C and Zinc.
What are vitamins and minerals?
The nurse's priority action if a patient on TPN suddenly runs out of their solution.
What is hanging a dextrose 10% in water (D10W) bag?